Hippie Holidays!

I'm doing a talk tomorrow at Master Composter training about recycling through the holidays. Actually it will be more like stumbling through a quick presentation. Anyway, my counterpart is doing more gift-y type stuff and I'm doing some table centerpiece ideas.

When I get some non-phone pictures of them I'll walk you through the how-tos, but they really couldn't be easier and 2 of the 3 are 100% kid friendly!

Under $50

I've been asking around on Twitter and Facebook a fun question just in time for the holidays:
If you bought yourself a handmade gift for under $50, what would it be? Here are a few answers so far:

POAST house wanted by Toil and Trouble (Ana) 
Suite One Studio bowls wanted by Made in Lowell (Liz)
Stone and Honey tiny triangle rings (2 at $20 each) wanted by Megan Charland 
Forged Copper Gingko Leaf wanted by  Trowel and Paintbrush (Kathleen)
Bird Brain Tile by Rob Ryan wanted by Bugs and Fishes (Laura)

So, how about you? If you bought yourself a handmade gift for under $50, what would it be? Leave a comment and include a link!

Come See Us in Person this Sunday!

This Sunday we're loading up the Wolfie & the Sneak mobile and headin' west, to Asheville, that is. This will be our first Big Crafty, and we're super dooper excited. When I'm not chasing our little mascot Mabel, you'll find me stuffing my chubby momma face with vegan cupcakes {thanks, Short Street Cakes}, holiday shopping, and  maybe manning the booth with my sweet Mr. C. 

The show is stuffed with amazing artists and crafters, so I've picked out a few favorites to highlight. Above {starting with the upper left and going clockwise}: Ragamuffin Press, Big Woods Art, Chomp Industries, Crankypants, In the Light Glassworks

Final Approach, Sew Moe, The Button Florist,Not Made In China,Foundling {who I think I've mentioned on this blog before}.

So there you have it: 10 handy dandy reasons to make it to the Big Crafty. This Sunday December 5, 2010; it's free and open from 12PM to 6 PM at Pack Place in Asheville, NC.

You've got great taste!

Would you believe it? There are 36 calendars left, a month to go until the new year and 2 in-person shows. Thank you Decor8, DesignCrush and Poppytalk for spreading the calendar love--looks like they'll sell out again, 5 years running!

Back to the topic at hand: Handmade Holidays. How about something useful to show off your great taste in gift giving?

Maybe a set of handmade spoons from Riverwood Trading and a jar of Live Wire Farm Honey? Even something as simple as salt can be exciting, like Kenyon's sea salt which is solar evaporated right here in the good ol' US of A, or table salt's spookier looking charcoal-activated cousin: Black Lava Salt.  Rifle Recipe cards and an Heirloom Box would be a treat for storing a cherished collection of passed-down family recipes. And even though it's not edible, a taste bud-tantalizing scented candle  from Linnea's Lights might be the antidote to the smell of burned tofurkey that's permeating your house. . mmmm, pumpkin.

So how's the shopping going so far? Any great buy-deas?

So A-door-able

I've been wishy washy over the front door {blue front door? new doggy door?}, but this summer I decided to paint the picnic table black (perhaps unconsciously inspired by Abbey?) then decided the door needed to be black, too. It would bring out the iron work on the porch and put a little consistency in the sea of chaos we love to call home.

Just Over the River has a black door that looks much like I suspect ours will turn out. Check out that incredible squirrel door knocker in NC for $8. I think she needs to send it back to NC. . . to me and my squirrel lovin' Wolfie, right? Add some vintage repro door hardware and call me surprised, we sure would have a fancy lookin' entry!

But more exciting than the actual door will be hanging up a Christmas wreath. Like maybe something fantastically compiled by The Constant Gatherer? Or a yarn wreath by Knock Knocking? Maybe the new door is just the excuse I need to get a succulent wreath like this one from Succulents Galore? A vintage tinsel one like the one from Oodles??

Who can resist all the lovely handmade choices? They're all so a-door-able! (Yes, that pun was unavoidable. And yes, I'm so sorry.)

Handmade Holiday Ideas: Mood Swing Jewelry

How about this for timing? Kristen {aka Mood Swing Studios} and her uber-talented web designer Arianne of Aeolidia are working hard on a Mood Swing revamp and although it's not quite finished, I can't wait any longer to share my part in it with you. Also, since we're smack dab in the middle of present buying season, it's time to start preaching the buy-it-from-the-little-guy gospel, right?

See that there banner with the scrolly font and flowers? That's one of the projects that has been keeping me busy and away from the blog. Yep, that's my handiwork {squeal!} and my heart's-a- burstin' with pride.

One thing I learned while working with Kristen, that girl has an eye for detail. I think it shows both in the banner and in her designs. Another thing I learned? It's really hard to stare at her site without wanting to put everything in the shopping cart.

On top of all that temptation, today only Mood Swing is offering free shipping with the code "holiday" and 50% off all storybook charm necklaces! The storybook necklaces are adorable, and with half off they're all under $25!